MAIN HIGHWAYS CONSTRUCTION.

Shannon News, 17 September 1926, Page 4

MAIN HIGHWAYS CONSTRUCTION.

—. f MONTH'Sj WORK IN HOROWHENLVs A QUESTION OF COSTS. Reporting on the progress of the Main Highways construction to the Horowhenua county Council on Sat- , urday, the Engineer (Mr W. N. AndI ciaon) said: Waikanae River—Otaki River Section.—During- the period, a gang has been engaged, on culvert installa- | ions, replacements and additions. Very satisfactory work has been done and the drainage of the road should now be greatly improved. Widening of formation between WaiJianae and Te Horo is. almost completed, excepting a length of road ! spoil for the widening of which will ' have to be obtained from proposed : new pit at Hadfteld Road. As soon as negotiations in this connection , have been completed, work, here will be put in hand forthwith. A gang has commenced work at the cutting just south of Otaki River Bridge, stripping same in preparation for crusher, which will later set up, at this point. The spoil from stripping is being utilised to widen embankment, and so improve the approach to the bridge. 1 propose shortly to commence building of shoulders from Otaki River to Te Horo, preparatory to strengthening foundation course of this road. Otaki River—Manakau Stream' Section.—The engineering survey of this section has been completed in all details, and the plane of same are also finished. Estimates, specifications, etc., are at present in hand and by next report, should be in the hands' of the Highways Board. Surveys for the taking of land for deviations have yet to be executed. ■ Manakau Stream—Levin Section.— All plant has been overhauled, and is in readiness for spraying operations. As soon as warmer and more settled weather sets in, the sealing of this section will be completed. Levin—Potts Creek Section.—Strengthening of foundation course has been completed from Queen Street corner for about 60 chains. Satis- ■ factory work is being done, and the course is going down in good fashion. Lowering of the road at Potts Rise is practically completed, as also is the embankment between the Rise and Potts Creek. Another 42inch diameter reinforced concrete pipe culvert has been installed also. I do not anticipate flooding of the road at i this point in future. ! Shannon—Makerua Section.—Preliminary survey work has been car- j ried out here' and the engineering survey will be commenced next week. SECTIONAL COSTS. Cr. Kilsby asked whether the Engineer could give the Council the j cost of the work done on Potts' Cutting on the Ihakara road The Engineer said he did not take out the quantities for every chain. Cr. Kilsby: It could be done. The Engineer: It could be done if we had several other clerks. Cr. Kilsby said he thought the Council should have the cost from the Engineer as he did the work. The Chairman: Will it be sufficient if the cost of each section is compared with the estimate. Cr. Kilsby: No, certainly not. I think we should know the cost of each portion of the section as it is carried out. There is something lack- l

ing if we cannot get it. If this was being run by departmental supervision, we would be able to tell .what each part of the work cost during the whole of the contract. The Engineer said the cost of each section had been estimated, but not each chain. Cr. Kilsby said the men had been working for a month at Potts' Hill, if not longer. As councillors jthey should know what it was costing. The Engineer should be able to give them that, and every -councillor had a right to ask for it' if he wished. Cr. Barber said they were hoping to get a small piece of main highway done from the Shannon Borough boundary to the Kara Bridge and another small piece at the other end of the Tokomaru Riding. The Engineer explained the surveys that were being made as given in his report. •